With access to electrity at 17%, Africa may be rising but for how much longer? Join our expert panel on 8 May to debate the challenge of providing sustainable energy to all
Speaking at Skoll World Forum in April 2014, Nigerian banker and philanthropist Tony Elumelu said the next big challenge for Africa would be tackling the lack of electricity.
Africa is home to nearly 1 billion people, accounts for over a sixth of the world’s population, but generates only 4% of global electricity. On a continent full of natural resource wealth, where economic growth outpaces most other regions of the world, the fact that is often referred to as ‘the dark continent’ – with access to electrity in sub-Saharn African only at 17% – is worrisome. So what is being done about it?